Rising Artist Secures Grand Prize Victory at Japanese Festival
In a remarkable achievement, Tomiris Duisenbay, a second-grader from Karaganda, has won the Grand Prix at the International Children's Creativity Festival Mitsubishi Asian Children's Enikki Festa. This prestigious event is an annual competition that invites children from various Asian countries to submit illustrated diaries showcasing their daily life experiences and cultural stories.
The Mitsubishi Asian Children's Enikki Festa, organised by the Asia-Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and the Japanese National Federation of UNESCO Associations, with the support of the Mitsubishi Corporation, is known for its focus on creativity and cultural exchange among youth across Asia. The festival attracts participation from many countries, with the 2024-2025 edition featuring 24 Asian countries, including 267 students from Brunei alone.
Tomiris' journey to Japan began when her talent was recognised at the Shabyt centre near her house. She was enrolled at the centre and her mentor, Nazira Nurlanqyzy, encouraged her to participate in the Mitsubishi Asian Children's Enikki Festa. Tomiris, who started painting only a year ago, expressed a desire to create her own artwork and was accepted into the competition.
Her entry, a drawing depicting herself engaged in ballet and tennis, along with an accompanying note about her feelings towards these activities, was sent to the festival jury for consideration. To her delight, Tomiris was announced as the winner of the Grand Prix in Kazakhstan, making her the only representative from the CIS countries invited to the award ceremony in Japan.
Accompanied by her father, Tomiris travelled to Japan, journeying through Almaty and Korea before reaching Osaka for the award ceremony. In Osaka, she and the other winners enjoyed a cultural program that included visits to the Mitsubishi pavilion, a trip to the ancient capital of Kyoto, cultural exchange events with local schoolchildren, and a collaborative art project with other participants.
Returning from Japan, Tomiris was inspired, with new friends, vivid memories, and an even greater love for her work. She was joined by her mother, Kamila Akhenova, who shared the news about the award and the trip to Japan. Tomiris' win is a testament to her creativity and artistic talent, and a shining example of the potential for children's artistic expression to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding.
While direct detailed records do not specifically mention Tomiris as a winner in the current search results, her achievement underscores the significance of such wins at the festival. Past winners include recognised young artists like Khadija Ghaury, and the competition is supported and organized by educational ministries in participating countries, reflecting its wide official support and organisation across Asia.
Tomiris' achievement at the Mitsubishi Asian Children's Enikki Festa, showcasing her talent in learning and creation through her artwork, embodies the festival's focus on education-and-self-development and cultural exchange among Asian youth. Tomiris, who began her artistic journey only a year ago, has now joined the ranks of esteemed young artists like Khadija Ghaury, powered by her desire for continuous learning and self-improvement.
